Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told state run television that he rejects talks on nuclear technology with the United States because they would not benefit Iran at all.
'Negotiations with the United States would have no benefit for us, and we do not need them,' the television quoted Khamenei during talks with Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade. 'We will not negotiate with anyone over the undeniable right of nuclear technology and using it,' Khamenei added. 'If they recognize this right, we are ready to negotiate over supervision controls,' he added.
Washington has offered an incentive package to Tehran in exchange for Iran giving up the development of nuclear technology. The U.S. and E.U. fear that Iran, one of the world's largest oil exporting countries, will use the technology to produce nuclear weapons. Iran insists that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.
Part of the incentive package involves increased trade with the West, including the U.S. There has been no formal relationship between the U.S. and Iran since student militants seized hostages at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country will respond to the U.S./European incentive offer by August 22. President Bush has accused the Iranians of stalling.
